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Aymen Hussein Overcomes a Harrowing Past to Star for Iraq at the World Cup
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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First reported by Mako · Jun 22, 2026
What happened
Aymen Hussein overcame family tragedy, poverty and injuries to become Iraq’s star striker. He scored Iraq’s first World Cup goal since 1986 in a 4-1 loss to Norway after being detained for seven hours in Chicago. Iraq now hope he can help them challenge France or earn a point against Senegal.
- 01He was detained for seven hours at Chicago airport before the World Cup opener.
- 02Hussein scored Iraq’s first World Cup goal since 1986 against Norway.
- 03His father was killed by al Qaeda when he was 12, and his brother was kidnapped later.
- 04He has 34 goals for Iraq and ranks fifth all-time.
- 05Iraq still hope for an upset against France or a point against Senegal.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
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